TRAFFIC ALERT: Full freeway closures underway for H1 rehab project

Oahu motorists beware: two weeks of nightly closures of the H1 freeway have begun.

The closures will be in the westbound direction from Vineyard Boulevard to Halona Street. The closures started at 8 p.m. Sunday.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) says the closures will occur on Sunday nights through Friday mornings -- from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. -- through March 28.

The DOT say the full closures will allow the contractor to continue to expedite the pavement reconstruction portion of the project which consists of removing deteriorated sections and rebuilding them with asphaltic concrete.

The eastbound side of the freeway will continue to have shifting lane closures with one lane open from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., nightly, also on Sunday nights through Friday mornings. Additional full freeway closures will be scheduled in the last few months of the project for paving and restriping. When the project is completed this summer, the H1 Freeway will have an additional lane in both directions that continues from Punahou Street to Likelike Highway which will help to address traffic congestion through the corridor.

The project includes reconstruction of freeway pavement, widening of the Nuuanu Stream Bridge and Palama Separation, upgrades of lighting, glare screens, drainage improvements, resurfacing and restriping.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible and to use alternate routes.